Would You Let Your Husband Breastfeed?

on March 31, 2009 at 3:02 PM

Breastfeeding was tough at first. It hurt. Sometimes a lot. I don't care what the "experts" tell you, pain doesn't mean you're "doing it wrong" or the baby's "latch is bad." In fact, three different experts told me my daughter's latch was great. It still hurt. I was sore, chapped, bloody, and blistery. I honestly think it just took a little time for my body to get used to having a baby on my breast. Now, the actual breastfeeding part is a breeze, but it's tough in other ways. It means less sleep and it means I always have to be with my daughter (or at least gone for no longer than a few hours). As much as I love her, every now and again I'd like a little break. If only my husband could breastfeed. Guess what? He can.

All men can breastfeed because they have the two things necessary to lactation: mammary glands (which produce milk) and pituitary glands.

According to Mental Floss, the doctors and authors of an 1896 book, Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine, recount several incidences of men breastfeeding their children. In one case, a sailor put his son to his breast to quiet him and started producing milk. In another, a South American peasant breastfed his son during his wife’s illness; and finally, a Chippewa man put his infant to his breast after the death of his wife and produced enough milk to rear him.

In 2002, a Sri Lankan man had to care for his 18-month-old daughter when his wife died. The child refused powdered milk, so her dad tried something else. "Unable to see her cry, I offered my breast," he told a Sri Lankan newspaper. "That’s when I discovered I could breastfeed."

In order for a man to breastfeed, the mammary glands have to be activated. In pregnant women, this happens when the pituitary gland releases the hormone prolactin, which prepares the breasts to produce milk. Men do produce prolactin (it's released after orgasms), but they don't produce enough to breastfeed. Yet, under the right circumstances (psychological and emotional), the brain can demand that the body produce more of the hormone. This is why some moms who adopt are able to nurse.

So it is possible (thanks to Mental Floss for all the info). Still, I don't really want my husband to be able to breastfeed. In the big scheme of things, I'm doing it for such a short time in my daughter's life, I want her all to myself. I know the day will come when I'll look back wistfully on all these sleepless nights.

Do you wish your baby's father could breastfeed?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: breastfeeding

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Comments (31)

Willywonka06

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:20 PM

ha! that's interesting. I new they had nipples but did not know they could produce milk. I would totally let my husband do it if I had to but other wise no, there is no reason. But I think it's awesome men who did that to protect and save thier babies.

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asaffell

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:25 PM

While it's an odd idea for me to handle, it's a cool thing. The first I had heard of it was when two men adopted a baby and decided to breastfeed. Frankly, the benefits are so great that it overpowers the icky factor. That being said, my husband would never do it and I really don't want him too unless I'm completely unable to nourish our children.

mrssundin

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:30 PM

my husbands chest is way to hairy to breast feed, the baby would get more hair then milk ha ha!

pjacademy

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:42 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OkcucXIuVI&feature=PlayList&p=446CD65B1978D776&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3

This came to mind when I read this :)

absmama

That's quite interesting!

ainsiesmommy

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:46 PM

My husband would never do it. I almost would like him to try just to see what women go thru when they breastfeed. He would quit after a few day s because of the pain lol. I honestly wouldnt want him too tho. Moments I would miss with the baby.

Chemikall

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:49 PM

Do I wish he could? Not really. Does he? Certainly! My SO's actually jealous of a woman's ability to bond with her child like this. He feels left out on the bonding process.

RanaAurora

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:50 PM

I really admire women who adopt babies and force lactation. Any father who would want to do it, I would admire as well. I used to joke with my husband that he should force lactation so he could nurse our son. He didn't think it was funny 5 years ago and still doesn't. Darn.

By the way, Suzanne (and anyone concerned about the same issues), it's recommended that unless you're a high-risk pregnancy, you should start massaging lanolin into your nipples (and maybe being a little rough with them) in the last trimester, to prepare them and the skin for a kiddo, to help prevent chapping, splitting, etc. Notice I said HELP prevent. ;) Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but it's totally worth a shot, because I know how BAD it hurts to nurse with cracked nipples!

cupidscurlyq

on Mar 31, 2009 at 3:54 PM

I wouldn't want my SO to be able to breastfeed, that's one of the woman super-powers I'm glad I have... However, my SO can still feed our baby though, thanks to a lovely breastpump!! :) Nice happy-medium if you ask me...